Top 10 Causes of Tire Blowouts and How to Prevent Them
As a driver, you must understand the importance of tire safety and the dangers of tire blowouts.
The blowouts can cause accidents, injuries, and even fatalities.
Tire blowouts are sudden failures of tires that can cause a vehicle to lose control and crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire-related crashes cause 19,000 injuries and 596 deaths annually.
Therefore, it’s essential to prevent tire blowouts by understanding their causes and taking preventive measures.
In this blog post, we will take a brief overview of the top 10 causes of tire blowouts and how to prevent them.
1. Low tire pressure
Low tire pressure is one of the leading causes of tire blowouts. It doesn’t matter if it’s a car, SUV, RV, or truck. When a tire is underinflated, it flexes more than it should, generating heat that can cause the tire to fail.
Therefore, it’s essential to check tire pressure regularly and maintain proper tire pressure.
You can find the recommended tire pressure in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the tire information placard.
Additionally, you can use a tire pressure gauge to check tire pressure and inflate the tires to the recommended pressure.
2. Overloading
Overloading a vehicle can cause tire blowouts by putting too much weight on the tires, causing them to overheat and fail. Therefore, it’s crucial to know your vehicle’s weight limit and avoid overloading it.
You can find your vehicle’s weight limit in the owner’s manual or on the tire information placard.
Additionally, you can weigh your vehicle and its cargo to ensure that you’re not exceeding the weight limit.
3. Punctures and damage
Punctures and damage to tires can cause tire blowouts by weakening the tire’s structure and causing it to fail.
Inspect your tires regularly for punctures, cuts, bulges, or other signs of damage.
You can visually inspect your tires or use a tire tread depth gauge to check for damage.
If you notice any damage, replace the tire immediately. We suggest one of these All-Season SUV tires for most driving conditions.
4. Worn tread
Worn tread can cause tire blowouts by reducing the tire’s ability to grip the road and increasing the risk of hydroplaning.
You will want to check your tire tread depth regularly and replace your tires when the tread is worn.
Furthermore, can use a tire tread depth gauge to check your tire tread depth. The minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 of an inch, but it’s recommended to replace your tires when the tread depth reaches 4/32 of an inch.
5. Extreme temperatures
Extreme temperatures can cause tire blowouts by increasing the tire’s internal pressure and causing it to fail.
Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor your tire pressure in extreme temperatures and avoid driving in extreme temperatures if possible.
You can use a tire pressure gauge to check your tire pressure and adjust it if necessary.
6. Improper tire maintenance
Improper tire maintenance can cause tire blowouts by neglecting to check tire pressure, inspect tires for damage, or rotate tires regularly.
Ensure to maintain your tires properly by checking tire pressure regularly, inspecting tires for damage, rotating tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, and balancing tires when necessary. And here are the expert’s tips for maintaining your tire and keeping it running for longer.
7. Using old tires
Using old tires can cause tire blowouts by weakening the tire’s structure and reducing its ability to grip the road.
You should replace your tires when they are old, even if they appear to be in good condition.
The recommended lifespan of a tire is six years from the date of manufacture.
Additionally, you can check the tire’s sidewall for the manufacture date, which is indicated by a four-digit code.
8. Mismatched tires
Mismatched tires can cause tire blowouts by putting uneven stress on the tires and causing them to fail.
Thus, it’s crucial to use matching tires on your vehicle and avoid mixing different types, sizes, or brands of tires.
Additionally, you should replace all four tires at the same time to ensure that they have the same tread depth and wear evenly.
9. Driving habits
As I mentioned in my post about the causes of tire blowouts here, neglecting driving habits like not avoiding road hazards, speeding, or braking suddenly can cause tire blowouts. So what to do?
Practice safe driving habits, such as avoiding road hazards, driving at a safe speed, and braking gradually. Additionally, you should avoid oversteering or overcorrecting if your vehicle starts to skid or slide.
10. Manufacturing Defects and Improper Installation
Tire blowouts can occur due to manufacturing defects or improper installation. Yes, they do happen.
While it may be challenging to identify manufacturing defects, scheduling regular maintenance with a trusted mechanic can help ensure proper tire installation and detect any potential issues that could lead to blowouts.
11. Improper Tire Repair
And finally, at 11th; incorrect tire repair techniques or using substandard repair materials can weaken the tire’s structure and lead to blowouts.
And so what you should do is get tire repair done by qualified professionals using approved methods and materials.
Vroom Vroom!
Tire blowouts are dangerous and as you know, can be fatal. Hence, it’s crucial to prevent tire blowouts by understanding their causes and taking preventive measures.
In this blog post, I have provided a comprehensive outline of the top 10 causes of tire blowouts and how to prevent them. By following these tips, you can ensure that your tires are safe and reliable, and you can avoid the dangers of tire blowouts.
What to do next?
